Past editorial Intern: Laurie Winkelman

Laurie Winkelman, 2001University of Wisconsin-Madison
I am currently a dairy nutritionist and technical specialist for Vita Plus Corporation in northeast Wisconsin. I consult and provide nutrition support for my own customers, as well as assist and provide support to teammates by helping and troubleshooting on their customers’ dairies. Before beginning with Vita Plus in 2011, I received my master’s degree from The Ohio State University (2003-2005) and worked as the dairy program specialist for Ohio State for about one and a half years (2005-2007). I went back to school for my Ph.D. at the beginning of 2007, where I conducted research about milk protein production under Tom Overton at Cornell University in Upstate New York, graduating in the spring of 2011.

Outside of professional work, my family owns and operates a 130-cow Brown Swiss and Holstein farm in Watertown, Wis., where I am very involved in mating, genetic and marketing plans for the herd. I enjoy judging dairy shows and assisting with youth dairy programs and projects. Additionally, I am an avid runner and play roller derby in my spare time. I was very excited and honored to have qualified for and run in the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013.

My internship with Hoard’s Dairyman allowed me to develop a long-term relationship with the magazine, as I have continued to contribute a few articles each year since my internship 12 years ago. I enjoy the task of taking research or complicated information and translating it into more easily understood terms. My internship and continued writing for the magazine benefits my professional life at Vita Plus as well. Many customers and prospective customers have recognized various articles I have authored, and that definitely adds credibility to discussions on the farms.